Self-adjustable cradle for boat trailers



QCL 26, 1943 H. L'. coMMlRE 2,332,991

SELF-ADJUSTABLE CRADLE FOR BOAT TRAILERS Filed Oct. 17, 1941 Patented Oct. 26, 1943 OFFICE* SELF-ADJUSTABLE CRADLE Fon BOAT- TRAILERS A Henry L. .Commire, Detroit, Mich'. Application october 17, 1941, seria; No. 415,369

l 2 claims. (131.2807442) This invention relates to a self-adjustable v v longitudinally upon the axle of the trailer, and

is adapted as a support for the bottom surface of the boat, at a point substantially intermediatethe bow and stern.

Heretofore a different cradle was required for each `boat carried that differed in shape in its bottom surface. This was expensive and required the unshackling of one cradle and its removal and the attaching in its place of a different shaped cradle for the particular shape of boat proposed to be carried.

It is the object of this invention to provide a substantially simplified boat cradle of this class which may be permanently secured to the boat trailer.

It is the further object of this invention to provide a cradle mechanism which is self-adjustable to present suitable bearing surfaces to support boat bottoms of any shape.

It is the still further object of this invention to provide a boat cradle with pivoted means for supporting angularly adjustable bearing surfaces, whereby said surfaces readily assume any angle of inclination to coincide with the angularity of the boat bottom sought to be transported.

It is the still further object of this invention to provide pivotal rocker supports for a boat, with suitable friction minimizing means such as rollers, or any other covering, therefore to facilitate sliding the boat upon the cradle and for cushioning the bottom surface of the boat.

This invention relates to the various combi-` nations of `elements hereinafter described in connection with the appended drawing of which:

Figure l is a perspective View of the boat cradle.

Figure 2 is a side elevational View thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectioned view on line 3 3` of Figure 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the boat cradle showing the roller construction.

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

It will be understood that the above drawing is not intended as a limitation of the invention,

but ismerely a preferable` embodiment thereof, for a` better understanding of which reference should now be had to the following detailed description.

In the drawing the self-adjustable boat cradle consists of a substantially rectangular base mem` ber II adapted for attachment above and to the axle of a boat trailer of the type above mentioned. It will be understood that various other types of boat trailers may be employed, for instance providing a plurality of cradles of the type hereinafter described.

Members l2 and I 3. are suitably secured or joined to the base II, as by welding along the bottom edges thereof at points I4 and I5. Bifurcated supports are thereby provided with the members I2 and I3 disposed in spaced relation to slidably receive the rocker members I8 and These rockers are pivotally supported centrally by the pivot pins I8 and I9, and are thereby adapted to rotate within the supports I2 and I3, to any position such as shown by the dotted line illustrations It', l5 and I1', Il, of Figure 2.

A boat 2li is fragmentarily shown disposed between the pivotal rockers I6 and IT with rockers I6 and Il shown in dottedlines coinciding with the particular angular inclination of the bottom of boat 2t.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Figure 2, wherein the rocker ll is also shown in tilted position by the dotted line illustration Il. Thus it is seen that the rocker members I6 and Il pivf oted at I8 and I8 are self-adjustable to coincide with the shape of the bottom of any boat sought to be carried thereby.

Rollers 2I and 22 made of rubber or any other suitable material are longitudinally disposed within the top surface of rockers It and I1 and thereby provide a resilient support for the boat 2d, and also provide means facilitating the drawing of the boat up over the cradle.

As illustrated in Fig. Ll rockers I6 and I'l are recessed longitudinally at 24' for receiving the longitudinally disposed rollers` 2| which are rotatably journaled therein at their ends by means of the shafts 25 suitably supported within the rockers I6 and Il. Said rollers, as shown in Fig. 5, extend above the top surface of rockers I8 and I1 providing a suitable rotatable rest or support for the boat bottom adapted to be drawn vthereover and supported thereon.

I6 and i1 may be covered entirely with leather or other resilient material as at 23.

Having described my invention reference should now be had to the claims which follow for determining the scope thereof.

I claim: y

l. A self-adjustable cradle comprised of a base member adapted for attachment to the axle of a boat trailer, upright bifurcated supportingv members secured in spaced relation upon said base, rocker members pivotally supported Within said bifurcated members in spaced relationA to said base, adapted to angularly coincide with the in` ient bearing surface. y

said bifurcated members in spaced relation to said base, adapted to angularly coincide With the inclination of a boat bottom for supporting the same, said rocker members being longitudinally recessed on their top surfaces, and rollers made of resilient material longitudinally disposed and journaled Within said recesses, with a portion of their surfaces extending above the surface of said rocker member to provide a resilient bearing surface.

3. A self-adjustable cradle comprised of a base member adapted for attachment to the axle of va boat trailer, upright bifurcated 4supporting 'members secured in spaced relation upon said base, rocker members pivotally supported within said bifurcated members, adapted to angularly coincide with the inclination of a boat bottom for i supporting the same, and rollers longitudinally 2.v A self-adjustable cradle for boats comprised .l

of a base member, upright bifurcated supporting members secured in spaced relation upon said base, rocker members pivotally supported Within disposed and journaled within said rockers to provide a bearing surface.v

HENRY L. COMMIRE. 

